One of the main focuses of companies today is achieving higher employee productivity and reaching organizational goals. Both of these are impossible to fulfill if your staff lacks motivation. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs provides a precise explanation for the psychology behind human motivation.
The five-tier theory labels safety needs as the second most important in the ladder to be highly motivated. Such needs include the security of physical and mental health, property, employment, and other resources. There has recently been an exponential rise in the focus on mental wellness.
Organizations have now realized the importance of mental well-being in the growth and retention of their employees. APA’s 2022 Work and Well-being Survey reveals that 71% of employees believe their managers are more concerned about their emotional wellness now than in the past.
Achieving this might be difficult, given that external stressors keep rising. Hence, we have prepared a list of ways to make the transition to a friendlier environment easier.
1) Set up an employee assistance program and provide resources
The costs associated with mental health assessments and resources deter employees from seeking help. Employee Assistance Programs are one of the best ways to negate this issue. Such initiatives can provide your workers with free checkups to cope with and resolve any underlying wellness issues.
Many well-known organizations have hired in-house practitioners to make such services available. When making such hiring decisions, ensure they have at least a Master of Science in Applied Psychology and relevant experience. Doing this will ensure you are providing your employees with the best quality of help possible.
Employee Assistance Programs can address issues ranging from clinical diagnoses to burnout and familial and financial hardships.
2) Promote work-life balance
The pandemic has blurred all lines between personal and professional life. It has made the culture of taking work home highly popular. This change in working dynamics is one of the main reasons behind burnout and stress.
Promoting work-life balance will lead to more mindfulness and satisfaction from work. Your employees will be more attentive and engaged during office activities. Hence, it would help if you occasionally stirred a conversation regarding this topic.
Ensure your employees are free to create boundaries relating to their availability after office hours. Take steps to encourage people to complete given tasks at the workplace. You can do this by setting deadlines within working hours to deter people from submitting projects at midnight.
It is necessary for managers to be more considerate of their employee’s personal commitments after work. Teaching time management through workshops is one way to ensure the goals are met while maintaining this balance. Alternatively, some employees may even wish for more personal time, which may include a Burnout Retreat as they may have to rejuvenate themselves and find their passion again. This can only happen once they disconnect from work though.
Additionally, implementing flexible working hours or providing mental health days can further support work-life balance. By fostering a culture that values personal time and well-being, organizations can create a more sustainable and productive work environment.
3) Establish a good Rewards and Recognition system
How your employees feel affects the functioning of the entire organization. Not delivering the promised rewards and recognition can lead to a lack of trust and loyalty between managers and employees. Unfair allocation of rewards can also foster negative relationships between co-workers. It can also cause mental frustration and lower motivation levels.
Hence, you must provide due appreciation and remuneration whenever promised. Doing this will signify that you care about the efforts of your employees. It will also help negate problems related to finances or opportunities for growth.
4) Create a positive work culture
The norms and rules of your organization are the foundation of all interactions and functions. One of the main requirements of mental wellness is respect and socialization. Having an open-door policy will ensure that any issues in the working place are heard.
Moreover, promoting teamwork will lead to healthy work relationships and personal development. Team building activities might be effective in achieving this. Make sure to convey that taking a vacation is encouraged. It should not signify that the employee is not passionate about their work. To easily organize team-building activities, you can find an axe throwing facility to help your employees get out of their comfort zones and have fun. It is an exciting activity that requires teamwork and encourages communication. It also builds trust and camaraderie in a creative way.
Two-way communication is also vital for a positive work environment. Your employees should feel free to share their opinions and suggestions. These should be met with appreciation and implementation whenever possible. Moreover, take regular feedback on how the work can be simplified for the employees. It will ensure the best quality of work along with a happy workforce.
5) Offer flexibility
The corporate world has seen a shift in management styles and the functioning of organizations. Everything has become more laid-back now. Employees expect greater flexibility and convenience.
This shift can be favorable for companies aiming to achieve employee well-being without compromising work. Hybrid positions can ensure the employee is comfortable while working. They should be allowed to make use of work-from-home opportunities.
It is better to modify the job according to the preferred working style of the employee. It can be anything from working alone at a desk to sitting in the communal area. Remember not to generalize and impose a specific way of working on all individuals.
Getting an extension on internal project deadlines for valid reasons should not be difficult. Showing empathy to your employees will make testing times easier for them. It will also lead to higher motivation once the worker is back on track. Hence, managers should receive appropriate training to create a balance between being authoritative and empathetic. The former might get the project submitted on time, but it will come at the cost of an individual’s mental health.
6) Stir conversations about mental health
Many organizations still consider mental health an informal topic of conversation at the workplace. Doing this creates a stigma around this issue. It also discourages employees from voicing valid concerns and struggles regarding this.
Hence, managers should talk about stress management, burnout, and the importance of taking help. Begin with taking ten minutes out of the meeting agenda to talk about self-care. Ensure that your employees feel comfortable sharing their struggles. Providing appropriate assistance is also necessary in such cases.
Remember that making a conversation without a solution is useless. Put in place effective programs that offer help and support.
Conclusion
Mental health remains a sensitive topic in workplaces since there is a greater focus on getting the work done rather than being productive with a healthy mind. Nevertheless, with these tips above, employers can ensure optimal mental health for their employees. Doing this will ensure higher productivity, healthy relationships, holistic growth, and job satisfaction.
Remember that the promotion of mental well-being will only be fruitful when the managers are ready to validate such issues. Changing managerial perspectives and reducing authoritativeness are necessary for this to work.
